Essays

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel belongs to that category of heroes that would do  honour to any country known to history.

While his achievements will be a source of inspiration, his services to the nation will be remembered in the times to come with gratitude. Sardar Patel was born on 21st October, 1875, in Karamsad village in Gujrat district. His father Jhver Bhai Patel was a poor peasant, but was bold and patriotic to the core of his heart. His father fought in the army of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi against the British Government in the First War of Independence, 1857.

Jhver Bhai Patel had two sons Vithalbhai Patel and Vallabhbhai Patel. Both the brothers had exceptional grit and brilliance which helped them achieve extraordinary heights in their careers. The elder'brother Vithalbhai Patel rose to be the presiding officer of the Central Legislative Assembly - the office that he held with great tact and dignity while the younger brother Vallabhbhai Patel rose to be the Deputy Prime Minister of independent India.

Sardar Patel had his primary education In his village. Later on he went to Nadiad and then to Baroda to continue his education. Even as a school child he showed extraordinary fearlessness and will power. Once he fell ill and had a boil

near his eye. The village 'vaid' told him to touch the boil with burning hot iron to cure it. When the other person was

hesitating to do so, Vallabhbhai took the red hot iron in his own hands and put it on the boil in a jiffy to the amazement of the on lookers.

Vallabhbhai saved money to go to England to pursue his studies in Law but his elder brother insisted to go first. It was after he had returned that Vallabhbhai went to England and returned as a fully fledged barrister. Later on his hard work and brilliance brought him great name and success as a barrister.

Attracted by the personality and idealogy of Gandhi, he entered politics in 1918. To begin with he was the Secretary

to the political Sub-Committee of Provincial Political Conference, which was convened under Gandhiji's guidance. His

work brought him great credit and recognition throughout Gujrat.

In those days 'begar' was prevalent in Gujrat. He mobilized public opinion against it, entered into dialogue with the Commissioner and ultimately succeeded in putting an end to this evil. It was his first achievement in public life. Gradually his faith in Gandhiji's methods of truth and non-violence increased and he felt drawn towards Gandhiji and public life.

Sardar Patel tried Gandhian technique of non-violence in Khera district also where the peasants were being compelled by the government to pay the revenue even if the crops had failed. He took up the cause of the peasants and ultimately succeeded in getting the revenue remitted.

Under his leadership strike was organized in Gujrat also along with the rest of the country against Rowlatt Act. It was

so successful there that the Government was overawed. During the Non- Cooperation Movement, Sardar Patel not

only said goodbye to his legal practice but also prevented his sons from going to England.

One of the most illustrious feather in Vallabhbhai's cap was the success of a Bardoli Satyagrah. Bardoli was a talluka  in Gujrat where the revenue was raised I by 30 percent despite crop failing and famine. The people of the area approached Vallabhbhai to get their grievances redressed. He personally enquired into the matter and found the Government  demand  for  increase 6 unjustifiable. He warned the peasants I against the hardships and risks involved S in the Satyagrah. When he found that they g were prepared for them, he launched the  Satyagrah and organized and executed it ! so well that besides winning success it  won him the epithet 'Sardar' from Gandhiji.

Sardar Patel had an exceptional oganizational skill and had great hold on the masses. He was in the vanguard of all

movements launched for undoing the wrong done to the people and for the liberation of the country.

The Congress honoured him by offering him president ship of the party in 1931. He organized the election campaign

in 1937, which brought him great applause. The Congress ministries were formed in seven out of eleven provinces. He was elected the chairman of the Parliamentary Board whose function was to supervise the working of the Ministries.

Being one of the leaders of the Independence movement, he had to suffer imprisonment and    other hardships. His active participation in 'Quit India Movement', 1942 landed him in jail for three years. In 1945 he was released from jail and he represented the Congress in the Interim Government. He was elected the Deputy Prime Minister in 1946.

In the cabinet of free India he held the portfolios of Home and State. As Home Minister he had a tough time when the Muslim League launched direct action in several provinces. There was communal hatred and lawlessness all around. But it goes to his credit that he handled the situation very tactfully. Then came the partition of the country which brought in its wake multitude of problems, besides that of law and order. It was a giant – size job to which he proved quite adequate.

But the ticklish problem for tackling which he is most remembered is that of Indian native states, which the outgoing

British Government had deliberately left in a mess. The rulers of these big and  small states had begun to dream of independent sovereignty. He showed great tact and political acumen in solving this problem. Not only was he successful in persuading the states to join Indian Union but also was successful in replacing the autocratic structure of the states by democratic governments.

Sardar Patel who was called the 'Iron Man' of India would be long remembered by the generations to come. He made a permanent niche in Indian history by his political genius,   statesmanship  and practical idealism.